Policewoman jailed over Steven Gerrard CCTV blackmail plot

Policewoman Helen Jones was today jailed for her role in a blackmail plot to "embarrass" Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard.

Helen Jones was on a career break when she illegally seized bank CCTV footage of a brawl involving the Reds skipper outside a bar in Formby in August 2013.

The 32-year-old, from Chatham in Kent, was jailed for 22 months after admitting misconduct in a public office on the day of her trial.

Judge Stuart Baker, at Preston Crown Court said she took a "calculated risk" in seizing the footage.

Jones obtained the CCTV from Lloyds bank after an alleged assault in which businessman Paul Lloyd, 34, claimed Gerrard and up to 12 of his pals "kicked and punched him for four minutes" as a fracas spilled out of a Woodwards bar in Chapel Lane, hours after the midfielder's Anfield testimonial game.

Jones had argued that she got hold of the CCTV for "philanthropic" reasons to help out a friend of a friend but that was rejected by judge Baker at a previous hearing where he said Jones acted for others out of "base motives", possibly as a lever to extort money and "embarrass" Gerrard.

The court previously heard how Lee McPartland, a friend of Gerrard, met with Mr Lloyd after the incident and an offer to pay him money was made to "put this to bed".

Mr Lloyd, who was arrested on suspicion of blackmail and released without charge, was accused by the prosecution of being "part and parcel" of a plot to extort money from the Reds midfielder, which he denied.

Sentencing Jones, judge Baker said: "You caused serious embarrassment to Mr Gerrard and Mr McPartland. I make no judgement at all as to who did what to whom in the incident on the night of August 4, 2013, nor as to whom bears any responsibility for that.

"But as a result of your conduct these two people have been subjected to allegations and extensive media speculation."

Prosecutors insist the footage, which has never been shown, shows Gerrard acting as peacemaker.

A victim statement made by the footballer was not read in court.

Richard Haworth, prosecuting, said the footballer had suffered "slander, menace and threats" and the prospect of civil proceedings taken by Mr Lloyd, which were apparently halted before last summer's World Cup.

But he said: "Let it be known there are no ongoing proceedings which given his (Lloyd) performance in the witness box is hardly surprising. I say no more about his credibility."

Roderick Jones, defending, said his client, who resigned from the force in December 2013, had not acted out of financial gain.